HL Deb 07 April 1954 vol 186 cc1056-7

2.39 p.m.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will examine the financial and constitutional implications of including Malta in the United Kingdom for purposes of taxation and the administration of social services.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OR STATE FOR THE COLONIES (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)

My Lords, in reply to a Question by the noble Lord, Lord Ogmore, on December 9 last, I gave the text of a message from my right honourable friend the Colonial Secretary to the Prime Minister of Malta. This message contained the offer by Her Majesty's Government to transfer responsibility for handling business relating to Malta to the Home Secretary. My right honourable friend hopes shortly to have the opportunity of hearing from Dr. Borg Olivier the views of the Government of Malta on this proposal. Until this has taken place I should not wish to enter into wider considerations.

THE EARL OF L1STOWEL

I am grateful to the noble Earl for his reply, but I should like to express the hope that when these discussions take place the matters referred to in my Question may find a place on the agenda.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, I am sure that all the matters will be discussed whenever the opportunity presents itself.

LORD OGMORE

May I ask the noble Earl also to remember that there are large numbers of Colonial territories with conditions very similar to those of Malta and not to make a decision in the case of Malta which will prove embarrassing in regard to the others?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, I am well aware, and so is my right honourable friend, that there is a large number of other territories in the Colonial Empire which occupy a similar status to that of Malta.